don't worry about getting cancer...I live on a block that 3 people have died of cancer and it wasn't collitis....Just because you have collitis, doesn't mean you will get cancer....Look, you can walk out of your home, and a plant can fall on your head...

You should not worry. I have had collitis since I was age 17. You do need to get a collenoscopy every year or 2. I had some pollops found, and the doctor took them out...So do not worry, and keep getting your check ups. As long as you get your check ups you will be fine.

I was diagnosed 25 years ago. I have watched 4 other people around me pass away from cancer in just the past 5 years. People that all expected to see me buried first.

Honestly, if you are taking care of yourself and eating properly, you shouldn't worry. Having a regular colonoscope done will catch anything before it becomes cancer. I have had several polyps removed over the years.

I worry more about today than tomorrow.

It's like, some people still smoke and never get cancer...

So, as long as you are checked, you should not worry....

You cant just use duration of the disease to determine cancer risk; you have to also include the extent of ones disease, ie entire colon or just the rectum, etc. Plus your risk may be greater if you have certain complications from UC, like PSC.
The risk of colon cancer generally starts to increase 8-10 years after you develop IBD, which is in line with when I started having regular colonoscopies. I started having regular annual colonoscopies 8 years after my diagnosis (I have pancolitis). Well, actually it was every 2 years at first but since Ive had pre cancerous polyps, my doc now does them annually.
Following are a couple of links to publications that go more into statistics. I think the bigger take away is to make sure we all go in for regular surveillance colonoscopies and then theyll be able to nip any pre cancer or cancer in the bud.
http://www.uptodate.com/contents/colorectal-cancer-surveillance-in-inflammatory-bowel-disease

http://www.biomath.info/Protocols/PGY2/docs/KarkhanisJamuna.pdf

http://www.ccfa.org/assets/pdfs/consensus-conference.pdf

Also, from what I understand, there are three main types of colon polyps, adenomatous which are the kind that can become malignant, hyperplastic, which are rarely malignant, and then there are polyps which are inflammatory, associated with IBD. So I think, although Im not sure, that those are the ones where they are more concerned about whether you have your colon removed or not. But dont quote me on that. I just know when I had my pre cancerous polyps removed, the biopsy report noted specifically that they were not related to my UC. Well see what other goodies they find at my next colonoscopy this June.
If someone thinks Ive misstated anything here, please jump in. Im no expert by

those of us with IBD are scoped more than anyone, so if we get cancer, it will be found a lot faster than people with out CD or UC, so in that way, we are lucky - catching it early means treating it sooner.

As for risk, my doc told me that the increased risk is not really as high as statistics imply. He told me that the statistics were based on studies at places like Mayo, etc, where the sickest patients are treated, which skews the stats. so for the average UC patient, the risk is generally a bit lower because to some extent the worse the disease, the higher the risk. Of course, if you happen to be in the category of sickest of the sick, the risk is higher.
In my unprofessional opinion, family history, lifestyle and other risk factors contribute more than just having UC. If you have family members with colon cancer, and severe UC, then be more diligent, but otherwise, i wouldn't get stressed out worrying about cancer. Dealing with UC is more than enough stress for anyone without adding worries about something that MIGHT happen.

I've read that too, that the risk is not as great as previously thought.

Cancer loves places of inflammation in our bodies. Any chronic inflammation increases your risk for cancer - Autoimmune diseases and all the bad habits we might have; drinking to excess, smoking, poor diet, etc. Genetics coupled with environmental factors, like diet, all contribute to our cancer risk. That is why it is so important to manage IBD symptoms as best as we can. Regardless of whatever the current projections, we are at a greater risk for cancer as long as we have symptoms.

When I was first diagnosed (26 + yrs ago), I was told that there is a 10% risk increase for cancer for every year I have active UC. Doing the math, I should of had cancer twice so far, and half way to a third time.

I'm new to DS so I just found this topic. I agree with everyone here. I have had UC for almost 25 years with no polyps or signs of cancer. I have had 6 GI doctors over the years. Some talked of increased risks and some said it's not as high as you think. As long as you have your scopes done, do not live in fear. I didn't worry about UC before I got it. Now that I have it, I manage it as best as I can. If I ever get cancer or get bitten by a shark or get hit by a train, I will deal with it then. "Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" (quoted from the Bible Matthew 6:27). Also love Matthew 6:34 "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own"

I love that quote!

Here's one for you much less lovely stated: "worrying is like a rocking chair, you are moving but aren't going anywhere"

I have lost too many people to cancer, and none of them had colitis. Most didn't smoke. most were active and ate a healthy diet. I have also lost people to vehicle and work place accidents. Life is a crapshoot, you never know what will happen, so, as i recently saw in a quote on Facebook: Live every day as though it is your last, but pay your bills and eat your veggies just in case it's not.

As usual, I find the greatest things and comfort on DS! My hubby just had some polyps removed and was told he probably has IBD. His mom died of colon cancer so we're a bit on edge till we get the biopsy results but reading these posts sure made me feel better. Thanks!
Hopefully it'll all be gone now that he's stopped taking his glipizide and after the colazal...Just have to get him to eat cultured yogurt!

I've read many studies where cancer was found in post-proctocolectomy pathology after low grade dysplasia was discovered during colonoscopy, so increased monitoring may be inadvisable. Medications and increased surveillance have lowered the risk, but since the economy crashed in 08 many of us don't have insurance or thousands of dollars for the alien anal probe.

I've had Crohns/Colitis since my early 20 - today I am 54 - Dietary measures have helped me - I listen to my gut feelings you might say... We can do all we can do to help ourselves the rest we cannot worry over. Put your worries to rest the best you can - being positively involved in efforts to keep yourself healthy - eat right for you (nutrition is needed to keep us alive and well) - exercise (even when you don't feel like it... do something) read and learn and do all you can to enjoy life... I have bleeding sometimes when I eat too much sugar in my diet - this includes drinks that have a high sugar content - so getting regular colon checks is a priority... I also try to watch how much sugar is a part of my diet - that helps... but the colon checks give me peace of mind as well. Get on with living - that's the gift we need to give ourselves - Good luck were you are!